How to Store Guava

By Cynthia Au

Guava is a tropical fruit that can be grown in the southern United States, namely in Florida and parts of Southern California. The fruit has a delicate green-colored exterior and a pale pink or white interior. The fruit can be harvested before it is ripe, and has a short shelf life after harvest and ripening. Store whole or cut guava in the fridge or freezer to prolong its shelf life.

Because guava can be harvested before it’s ripe, it is important to test for ripeness before storing whole guava. Cut guava purchased from a fruit stand or grocery store will generally be fully ripe before it has been cut.

Guavas can be frozen whole, and stored for up to a year. Cut guava, peeled, also freezes well. To prolong storage, cover a cut, ripe guava with a simple syrup, and store it in an airtight container. Do not have more than a 1/4-inch of headspace. Frozen and covered in syrup, the cut guava can also keep for up to a year in the freezer.

Tips

While frozen guava is safe to eat indefinitely, so long as it stays frozen, the quality of the fruit will deteriorate after 1 year.